Coolpad offers two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market with the Cool 30 Play and the Defiant. The Cool 30 Play aims for a balance of performance and features, leveraging a modern Mediatek chipset. The Defiant, on the other hand, represents a more basic, affordability-focused option. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which aligns with your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and the ability to handle modern apps and light gaming, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage over the Defiant’s Snapdragon 425, justifying the likely price difference. However, the Defiant remains a viable option for those needing a very basic, ultra-affordable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - version 1 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - version 1 | 2, 4, 12 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Expected announcement 2024, July | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 144.5 x 71.4 x 10.2 mm (5.69 x 2.81 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 306 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@24fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 216 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2450 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Purple, Flowing Gold, Velvet Black | Storm gray |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
Coolpad Cool 30 Play
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance.
- 33W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- More efficient 6nm chipset for better battery life and reduced heat.
- Likely higher price point.
- May have a more complex software experience.
Coolpad Defiant
- Ultra-affordable price point.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Potentially longer standby time due to lower power consumption (though offset by smaller battery).
- Slow processor struggles with multitasking and modern apps.
- Slow charging speeds.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given the target market, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels. The Cool 30 Play, being the higher-tier device, likely benefits from a higher resolution and potentially a slightly improved color gamut. The Defiant will likely prioritize cost savings, resulting in a lower resolution and potentially wider viewing angles. The absence of details prevents a definitive comparison of brightness or refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. It's safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The Cool 30 Play, positioned as a more feature-rich device, likely has a higher resolution main sensor and potentially more camera modes. The Defiant will likely feature a simpler camera system focused on basic photography. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality and should be considered a marketing feature rather than a substantial upgrade.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Coolpad Cool 30 Play’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) features an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architecture is designed for efficient multitasking and moderate gaming. Conversely, the Coolpad Defiant’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (28nm) utilizes a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.4 GHz. The older 28nm process and less powerful core configuration of the Snapdragon 425 will result in noticeably slower app loading times, sluggish multitasking, and limited gaming capabilities. The G99’s 6nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Cool 30 Play’s 33W wired charging is a major advantage. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Defiant, which likely supports a much slower charging rate. While a larger battery capacity on the Defiant could offset the slower charging, the G99’s 6nm efficiency in the Cool 30 Play may result in comparable real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. The faster charging of the Cool 30 Play provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 30 Play if you need a phone capable of running multiple apps simultaneously, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds. Buy the Coolpad Defiant if you primarily need a device for calls, texts, and very light usage – a simple, reliable phone for essential communication without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Coolpad Cool 30 Play be able to run demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 chipset in the Cool 30 Play is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences. The Snapdragon 425 in the Defiant will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, offering a poor gaming experience.
❓ Is the Coolpad Defiant a good choice for a first smartphone for a senior citizen?
The Coolpad Defiant's simplicity and affordability make it a reasonable option for a first smartphone for a senior citizen. Its basic functionality focuses on calls, texts, and essential apps, minimizing complexity. However, the slow processor may be frustrating for even simple tasks.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Coolpad Cool 30 Play compared to the Defiant?
The Coolpad Cool 30 Play's 33W charging is substantially faster. While the Defiant's charging speed is unknown, it's likely to be around 5-10W. This means the Cool 30 Play can go from 0-100% in approximately 60-90 minutes, while the Defiant could take several hours.
